‘Intelligent’ Hydration Pack, Pee Zipper Ski Bib, Canoe Chair, and More Emerging Gear

It seems there’s never a dull moment in the busy marketplace of outdoor gear. Outdoorsy women will have plenty to check out this week. That starts with the unstoppable growth of Gnara, which now brings its popular “pee zippers” to ski wear. But there’s also the fashion-centric, climbing-inspired apparel from The North Face, and a stylish makeover of KEEN hiking boots from Hikerkind.

In the “leveling up your gear” category, we’ve got an “intelligent” hydration pack (using AI, of course) for “two-wheeled adventurers,” an extra-powerful backcountry water filter, and a super-long-lasting headlamp from one of GearJunkie’s favorite flashlight brands.

Enjoy the latest and greatest of Emerging Gear.

Gnara x Burton Pee Zipper Kit

Gnara’s GoFly Pee Zipper is a simple idea that has grown quite a bit since the brand impressed GearJunkie back in 2022 with the Go There Hiking Pants. The threads, in case you’re not familiar, have a zipper that allows women to answer nature’s call — without taking off their clothing.

Now, the company has partnered with snowboard brand Burton to offer a pair of bottoms aimed at women skiers and snowboarders. The limited-edition drop includes the Burton Reserve Stretch Ski Bib Pants and the Midweight Base Layer Bottoms, both available for preorder on the Gnara website.

A pair of the Burton Reserve Stretch Ski Bib Pants with the GoFly Zipper will cost nearly $400. The Midweight Base Layer Bottoms, which have Gnara’s Flap System, cost just under $100.

FluidLogic GPR50 Hydration System

Are you a “two-wheeled adventurer” wanting to upgrade their hydration game? Then, you’re probably the target audience for FluidLogic’s GPR50 Hydration System.

The startup calls its product the “world’s first intelligent hydration pack providing personalized hydration.” With Active Hydration technology, the pack senses users’ biometrics and sends the data to an app. The system provides haptic alerts when it senses that riders need to drink.

FluidLogic said in a press release that water is delivered to the user “at the push of a button. ” It is available for preorder and is expected to be delivered in April. It costs $480.

LifeStraw Activated Carbon Filter

We’re big fans of LifeStraw’s water filters, especially the Peak Series. Now, the company is offering what it calls “an upgrade” for backcountry adventurers using Peak Series filters: an Activated Carbon Filter Attachment.

This compact and lightweight add-on supposedly levels up filtration by removing heavy metals (like lead and mercury), the brand said. By reducing chlorine, odors, and organic chemicals, “delivering safer, better-tasting water in the wild,” according to LifeStraw. It weighs 1.2 ounces (claimed) and will filter up to 26 gallons of water before needing a replacement. The attachment costs $15.

Crazy Creek Canoe IV

The new canoe seat from Crazy Creek is designed to enhance comfort and durability on both water and shore, the brand said. Crafted from waterproof fabrics and built to last, the Canoe IV is made with 600D Ripstop Polyester with TPU Waterproof Coating and weighs 36 ounces.

It costs $80 through the retailer’s website.

The North Face Mountain Dress

With its fashion-centric collection of technical garments aimed at climbers, The North Face says it’s “pushing the limits of what’s possible yet again.” I have to wonder if the limits in question include bouldering in a dress.

That’s what several of the brand’s sponsored athletes did with a $900 “mountain dress” as part of a trip to the iconic bouldering of Fontainebleau, France. The athletes, which included Solenne Piret, Brooke Raboutou, and Molly Thompson-Smith, were there to model the limited-edition collection, created in a partnership with Danish womenswear label Cecilie Bahnsen.

Other items in this chic collection include a $1,000 mountain jacket, $600 mountain shorts, and a $250 Base Camp Clutch.

NiteCore HA23 UHE

NiteCore makes some of GearJunkie’s favorite EDC flashlights, especially for those looking for above-average quality at a decent price.

Now, the Chinese brand has dropped a headlamp designed for “outdoor adventurers, rescue teams, and professionals in demanding conditions,” the brand said. The HA23 UHE offers 600 lumens and a beam distance of about 433 feet (132 m). Its LEDs allow users to choose from three beam color temperatures: Warm (3,000K), Neutral White (4,500K), and Cool White (6,500K).

It also includes an Ultra Low Moon Mode for night vision preservation and a red light mode for minimal disturbance in low-light environments. The headlamp supposedly can run for a whopping 125-hour runtime. It supports both rechargeable and AAA batteries.

Safety features include Location Beacon, SOS, and Warning Flashing modes. A Diffusing Stuff Sack allows conversion into a camping lantern. It weighs 56 g (claimed) and is available in three colors. At $30, it’s also very reasonably priced.

Royal Robbins Mosquito Protection Technology

The eponymous apparel brand of legendary climber Royal Robbins has something new up its sleeves.

Royal Robbins just launched an outdoor clothing line with Mosquito Protection Technology (MPT), offering wearers a chemical-free barrier against the world’s deadliest animal. Recognized by Popular Science as one of the “50 Greatest Innovations of 2024,” MPT uses a tightly woven fabric to block mosquito bites without chemical repellents.

Developed in partnership with Vector Textiles, MPT fabrics underwent rigorous testing in 2023, demonstrating 92% effectiveness in preventing mosquito bites, according to a press release from Royal Robbins. Unlike traditional mosquito protection that relies on DEET or pyrethrin-treated clothing, MPT also maintains breathability and durability, the brand said. Options include the Men’s Amp Lite II button-up shirt for $95, the Women’s Wilder Shirt for $95, or the Wilder Pant for $120.

Sea to Summit ReVIVE Series

Sea to Summit’s newest sleep system launched this week. It includes new sleeping bag lines and sleeping mats focused on sustainable manufacturing.

For starters, the brand is releasing the ReVIVE Series Sleeping Bags. These lightweight, packable mummy bags have 100% recycled synthetic insulation that stays soft and warm even when wet, the brand said.

There’s also the ReVIVE Self-Inflating Mats, the company’s first self-inflating mats with Bluesign-certified recycled fabrics. Finally, a new line of all-season Ether Light XR Air Mats aims at maximum warmth with minimal weight. 

Forloh BTM Pro Jacket

Given the hectic state of trade, it’s not a bad idea to buy American. And that’s what you’ll get with this tough new jacket from Montana-based Forloh.

The brand’s BTM Pro Jacket is made from military-grade nylon/cotton ripstop fabric. It comes with the option to add a paraffin wax bar treatment that delivers what the brand calls Brush To Mountain (BTM) protection. Designed for layering and a perfect shoulder season style, the BTM Jacket offers wind resistance and water repellency while ventilating body moisture, the brand said.

Personally, I’m a big fan of the number of storage options on this thing (I like pockets) and the adjustable hood and hem. Entirely sourced and manufactured in the USA, the jacket weighs 21 ounces (claimed) and costs $280.

KEEN Targhee IV Waterproof Hiking Boot x Hikerkind

We called the KEEN Targhee IV a “great budget hiking boot” in our 2024 review. Now, you can get a fancy collaborative version of the boot in this partnership with Hikerkind, a women’s hiking brand focused on stylish, functional outdoor gear.

This mainly looks like a style upgrade, giving KEEN’s hiking boot a makeover of a monochromatic palette of shades of brown. It’s got the same PFAS-free waterproofing as the OG Targhee, as well a roomy toebox. It costs $180.